Local briefs

Crow Wing County Health Department and the Brainerd School District are co-sponsoring a sixth grade tetanus and MMR immunization walk-in clinic from 3-6 p.m. March 30 at the Brainerd High School cafeteria.

No appointment is necessary for students receiving the shots. However, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to the clinic. Parents will be asked to sign a permission slip to immunize their child after reading information on the risks and benefits of immunizations. A $5 per shot donation is requested. A record of all previous shots must be brought to the clinic.

Students entering seventh grade are required to have a current Td (tetanus, diphtheria) and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunizations. Students without shot verification will not receive their fall class schedules and will be excluded from classes.

For more information, call the health department at 824-1080 or 824-1098.

Grants available for cancer screenings for women over 40

Grants will pay for annual breast and cervical cancer screenings for women over 40 who qualify and for prostate cancer screenings for men over 60 who also qualify, programs sponsored by the Crow Wing County Health Department.

Annual pap smears and mammograms are free to women over 40 and meet the generous income guidelines. If you qualify and have insurance that covers this procedure but have a deductible, MBCCCP will pay the deductible.

Prostate cancer screenings for men over 60 who do not have insurance coverage are also free.

Call the Crow Wing County Health Department for more details at 824-1080 or 824-1086.

Freshstart classes for quitting smoking to be offered

Freshstart smoking cessation classes will be offered at 10 a.m. Fridays beginning April 7 through the Crow Wing County Health Department.

Freshstart is a quit smoking program by the American Cancer Society. The series of four classes costs $15 for materials. The program is open to anyone.

To register, call the health department at 824-1080 or stop by its offices, 219 Laurel St.

Public immunization clinics to be offered in April

Public immunization clinics will be offered in April through the Crow Wing County Health Department in Brainerd, Pequot Lakes, Crosby and Emily. There is a minimal charge for vaccines but no one will be denied if unable to pay. A parent or guardian with an immunization record must accompany each child under 18. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call the health department at 824-1080 or 824-1098.

The following is the April immunization clinic schedule: 8:15 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. April 11 and 25, Crow Wing County Health Department, 219 Laurel St.; 1-3 p.m. April 4, Pequot Lakes City Hall; 2-3:30 p.m. April 7, St. Joseph School, Crosby; and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. April 7 at the Emily Charter School, Emily.

Senior health screening to be offered April 3

Crow Wing County Health Department will be offering a senior health screening from 9 a.m. until noon April 3 at the health department offices, 219 Laurel St.

Screenings include cholesterol and diabetes checks and hemoglobin, blood pressure, height and weight, immunization and medical reviews and vision and hearing checks. A $10 donation is requested. Medical assistance can be billed.

For more information, call 824-1080 or 824-1098.

Public health week activities slated for April 3-7

Crow Wing County Health Department will be "Celebrating a Century of Success" with public health week activities slated for April 3-7.

From 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. April 3, a senior health screening will be held by appointment only at the health department in Brainerd. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. April 4, a Garrison screening and medication management clinic will be held by appointment only.

An open house is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. April 7 at the Crow Wing County Health Department, 219 Laurel St. Treats, punch and coffee will be available. The open house will promote senior health screenings, medication management clinics, health promotion sessions, home safety check lists, and ColoCare screening kits. Tours of the building will also be offered.